For the second straight time, San Sebastian College-Recoletos proved to be a problem for De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. And on both occasions, the Blazers had to pour it all out to come out victorious.
In their second round encounter on Sunday, Benilde was on guard up until the last seconds as the Stags mounted multiple comeback attempts behind the tandem of Paeng Are and Ralph Gabat. This despite San Sebastian having a depleted lineup in the endgame with three players fouling out late.
Good thing for them, though, the Blazers had ample manpower to extinguish the Stags' hopes.
"It is an improvement [from our last game against them], definitely, but again our endgame, we almost collapsed again. We didn’t make some good decisions, but we give Baste a lot of credit," Tiu said.
"They always played hard against us, they prepared very well and we were just able to escape with a win. But definitely, we have to be better."
It was similar to the way their first round clash transpired.
Back then, the Blazers were already enjoying a 26-point lead halfway in the third period in what looked like a done game already.
But the Stags flipped the switch by unleashing a massive fourth quarter then forced an overtime.
Benilde still won the match, thanks to the heroics of Jhomel Ancheta, whose game-winning basket gifted the Blazers the victory.
With top guard Tony Ynot out due to an injury, the Blazers almost had another collapse against the Stags in their second meeting.
But they proved they are more than just a one-man show with Ian Torres, Gab Cometa, Joshua Cajucom, and Roger Ondoa leading the charge as the Blazers went on to carve out a 91-85 victory to remain atop the ladder.
For Tiu, it was a testament to the idea that his squad doesn't live and die with just one person.
"Definitely, we want to give guys a chance. We want to be a team na if somebody’s not there, we [still] find a way to win kasi sobrang swerte mo na kung healthy lahat ng players mo every game," Tiu added.
[Definitely, we want to give guys a chance. We want to be a team where if somebody's not there, we find a way to win because you have to be really lucky to have all of your players healthy every game.]
"But with a long season like this, some injuries are bound to happen so it’s good that guys that we put in can perform like Matthew Oli, Zenric Jarque, they combined for six threes in the half so that was huge for us."
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
